Controlling mechanism for player pianos and the like



C. FREBORG.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION l-llED FEB. I5, 1916.

1,343,442. Patented June 15, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

33 6Zw-Z5jko QM Q/w/mwmms C. FREBORG.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR PLAYER HANDS AND HE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED ma. 15, 1916.

1,343,442. Patented June 15, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f /%arieaf 501' C. FREBORG.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION mu) no. I5, 1916.

1,343,442. Patented June 15, 1920.

15 Czariexzzelor g/wzwq Q k/hmwg/zjzz s APPUCATION FILED FEB. l5. IBIS.

Patented June 15, 1920.

6 SHEEIS-SHEU C a. a 0 a y 0 Z 0 w o 0 a 5 5 7 h\ r MFAHH n wn F p alfliT WU. q l/ iii hfi 1 I I l l I I I i .l

lfwvt z r w i. I

I 71,12 auto 1'.

C. FREBORG.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM ron PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

APPUCATlON FILED "8.15, 1916.

Patented June 15, 1920.

6 SNtETS-SHtEI 5.

czarzwzk c. masons. C 0 N T R 0 L L I N G M E C H A N l S M F 0 R P L A Y E B F I A N 0 S A N D T H E L I K E.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l5. IQIG.

6 SSSSSSSSSSS 1 6.

rlllmnqli m WWII/Il/II/l/IIA Wine-xx Luna;

3y (Zarlarfleiagy iumr zo strains. PATENT. lorries.

CHARLES rnnnonng pr 'agnnkaxnn, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 PRICE & TEEPLE PIANO oomrnmr, oncmckco, runners, n oonronnrron OF ILLINOIS.

= comnonmncwnonamsu FOR. PLAYEIt-PiANOs mm mm MKE -fs e i-acmi n of neetersra ent;

' Patented JIllie 1 5 ,192O.

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, CHARLES FREBORG, a citizen of .the United States .residing at Kankakee, in the. countyof Iiankakee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Im rovementsin Controlling Mechanism for layer-Pianos and t'he l ke, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention'relates to improvements in player pianos,-and has for its main oliject to provide an expression controlling -;,-ineanS which will automatically contrplgthp, expression or tone ofmusicbeing .p ayed gporr the instrument to, which it s,ap)plied, the music roll or the like being suita lyapertured or perforated for such automatic control, U

Another object resides in the provision of manual operating means to operate the expression control so that the :music being played may be interpreted as -totone, e ither automatically, as provided in the .music sheet, or manually to accord with the ideas of the person playing. i

Still another ob'ect :isto provide means operating inde pen ently, in'a sense, of the expression controlling means to automatirally or manually obtain a crash efi'ec't or sudden forte, when desired.

Still another object resides in the provision of specific mechanism and structure which I have conceived and designed to obtain the above mentioned objects.

These and other objects will be more fully set forth and described below, and areshown in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure l is a front elevation of a player piano showingthe application of my mec ianism thereto. a portion of the front of said piano being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation drawn to an enlarged scale of my mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation ofa portion of the mechanism, the expression controllin bellows being removed and a dlvision pandl being partially broken away for clearness;

F ig. 4 is a transverse vertical I section through a portion of the piano showing my mechanism in side elevation;

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of my mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a .front elevation of the same. a

portion thereof being shown in section;

is a front elevation of a portion the mechanism shown in Fig. 3,, a part of the expression bellows -be' shown in section to llustrate the controlling valve member V Fig. fins a side elevation of the main exhaustmg bellows showingihe application of the ,e rpress on controlling e-bellows thereto, the lattes benzig shown in section;

Fig. Qas .a etailvoef'the ,inusic sheet and'a port on ,of ,theytracker boand showing the perfonations tor:,agtomatic operation of the es em nntr lac-r '1 .9 1 i -i 0.3w; he iscn a sertiontaken al heifi eweet f g-ifi; nd.-

F; 11,is a perspectivedetcil view of the slide ;le walveior controlling the operation of the expression bellows actuating means.

Like ,niimerals "refer to. like elements throughout the drawings, in which A indi: cates generally a player piano having the keys A. In-t eupperportion of the piano A. I have shown the usual tracker'board A mounted between the music rolls 20 and 21 between [upon which rolls the music sheet 22 provided with the usual note actuat= mg pertorations. .At one side of the tracker board are provided :the adjacent passages Ak -A which be called the loud and soft actuating passages and on the opposite side of tracker board A I have located a crash .or suddenforte passage A The purpose and function of-these three passages will be more fully described hereinafter. Ducts or tubes 25-26, respectively lead fromv the passages A*V-A* to chambers 25-26 in the va ve box B, see Fig. 6. Membranes or diaphragms 25"----26 extend across in the chambers .25-:26 above the inlet of tubes 25 and 26. For convenience I have located the chambers '25 and 26". adjacent opposite ends ofthe valve box B and intermediate these chambers are provided a sucsession of additional members 27, 28 and 29, respectively, provided with diaphragms 27, 28 and 29. A common duct 30 extends across in the box B above all the diphragms, as shown in Fig. 6, and suitable restricted passages 25, 27, 28, 29and 26 lead upwardly therefrom above the respective diaphragms to valve chambers 25', 27, 28, 29 and 26". Apertured valve seats 25*, 27. 28, .29 and 26 are mounted at the top of the chambers. A pair of valves C and D are mounted on a common stem E in each of the valve chambers described above, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. These valves are s aced apart on the stem E and are arrange the valves 0 to coact with seats 25, 27", etc., and the valves D to open or close restricted passages 25, 27, etc., the valves bein further arranged so that when the valve is in position closingthe corresponding passage from the duct 30 the passages through the upper valve seats 25', 27, etc.', will be open, and vice versa. The stems E extend downwardly into contact with "the upper-side of the diaphragms 25", 27', etc. The cross duct 30 communicates through orts or passages 30 with-the exhausting be lows G, see Figs. 4 and 5, which maybe operated mechanics. ly or by suitable pedal mechanism to maintain the suction or reduced pressure utilized to operate the entire player action. It will be apparent that during the operation of the player mechanism suction or reduced pressure will obtain in the assage'-30,' and as shown in Fi 5, I providg suitable by-passes 30 leading From each duct 30 to below each of the diaphragms, such passage communicating with the duct 30 through the constricted passage 30, the passage of the air therethrough being controllable by means of the bleed valve 30. It will be apparent that in the operation of the player mechanism, reduced pressure obtaining in the duct 36 will also obtain in the chambers below the diaph-ragms 25 -27, etc., and also such suction being applied to the underside of the valves D will result in the valves and stem being maintained in the position shown in Fig. 6, for example. When air is admitted beneath any of the diaphragms at atmospheric pressure it will result in the above mentioned balance being disturbed and the valve stem E will be raised by means of the diaphragm, whereupon the valve D will rise from its seat while valve C will move to position closing the corresponding passage. Chambers 25' and 26 communicate with the ducts 25, 26 leading to the respective bellows 35 and 36. Valve seats 25, 26", etc., communicate with a passage 31 which is in communication with the atmosphere. Passages 27, 28 and 29 lead from the atmosphere through a bridge 38 and the rear of the valve box 13 to beneath the diaphragms 27 28. 29, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

t will be a parent that when air is ad mitted throng i the tubes 25 or 26, the corresponding membranes 25", 26 will raise the valve stem or stems E opening the corresponding passage 25" or 26, whereupon communication through valve seat 25 or 26 will be closed and the suction obtaining in duct 30 will be approximated through either port 25 or 26 to the corres ending bellows 35 or 36, resulting in the co lapsing thereof.

On the movable wall 35 and 36 of each of the bellows 35- and 36 is attached an arm 35", 36". Each'of these arms is provided with a slotted portion projecting above the bellows in which is pivoted a,pawl arm 35, 36, suitable springs 35?, 36 being provided to malntain the pawl arms pressed down. Each of these arms terminates .in the pointed extremit es 35, 36 sliding on either side of a partition 37. Slidably mounted on the bridge 38 through which extend the ports 27, 28a'nd 29 is'a valve member 39, shown in perspective in Fig. 11, for example. This valve member is provided with a groove 39 in Its uppersur'face which fits the partition 37, whereby the latter will act as a guide member. Reversely arranged notchesfl39, 39"'are provided in the valve member on its upper side on either side of the artition '37, as shownin Eigs. 6 and 11. j be toothed extremity 35 'of arm 35 isarran ed to coact with the notches 39* while/toot ed extremity 36? of arm 36"*is intended to coact with the notches 39 ."'Abutfnents"38, 38 project outwafdlybelbw the'arms 35, 36, as shown in Fig. 6 and serve to support the respective arms when in inoperative osition. Constructed in the slide valve 39 is the elongated aperture '39 of a size sufficient to bridge the three passages 27 28 and 29 when in proper position, This passage 39 commumcates with the atmosphere. Chambers 27, 28 and-29 are in communication with respective bellows 40, 41' and 42 through ducts 40', etc, as shown infFig. 5. It will be apparent that when any of the openings 27;, 28" or-29 are in communication with the aperture '39 the corresponding membrane or diaphragm will, by "atmospheric pressure, he raised, actuating the correspondmg valve to permit the suction obtaininv in duct 30 toactuate the corresponding ellows 40, 41' or 42 'whereupon the movable wall 40", etc, will be raised, as viewed in Fig. 5.

o satisfy the ordinary requirements of interpretation, I have provided three movements of the slide valve 39 from one position to the other, thereby providing, as will be obvious, four different positions of such valve. In the position shown in Fig. 6 all of the passages 27;, 28 and 29 are closed, whereupon all of the movable walls of bellows 40, 41 and 42 are in relaxed or lowermost position. It will be obvious that when a single perforation in the music sheet 22 passes over the aperture or passage A, the

movable wall 36" of bellows 36 will be moved inwardly, as viewed in Fig. 6, whereupon arm 36 will engage one of the notches 39" to move the valve 39 one step from the position shown in Fig. 6, and by proper dimensioning and construction this step will open the 1passage 29, whereupon bellows 42 will be cc speed for a purpose hereinafter to be described. The passage of a second perforation in the sheet 22 over the duct A will result in a second inward movement of the wall 36 of bellows 36, it being understood that suitable spring mechanism is provided to return these bellows to their normal or expanded position, and th is second movement will result in the valve39 being moved a second step to a position "wherein the passage 28 is'also open to'coinrnunication with the atmosphere, whereupon bellows 41 will be collapsed. Similarly the passage of a third perforation in the music sheet over duct A will result in collapsing of bellows 40. It will be obvious from the above that when in the position just described passage of a single perforation over duct 3 in the tracker board will result in the valve 39 being returned one step to close passage 2? and so on. Proper intermixture orarrangement of perforations in the music sheet cqntrolling the ducts A", A will result in any desired reversals or successive progressions of the valve 39 from or toward either limit of movement.

Coacting with the bellows 40, 41 and 42, and arranged for actuation thereby, is what 1 term an ex ression bellows 50, see Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 8, or example, means hereinafter described being provided for normally maintaining this bellows in open position. Each of the movable walls of the bellows 40. 41 and 42 carries an extending finger 40 41", 42", respectively. Carried by the mov able wall 50* are the spring fingers 40, 41, 42, respectively, having their extremities terminating above the corresponding fingers 40", 41 and 42*. In the construction shown the spring fingers 40, 41 and 42 are of different sizes to provide varying spring strengths, although I do not wish to restrict myself to such a variation in size. Each of the projecting extremities of these spring fingers is bent or looped downwardly. as shown in Fig. 4. The fixed wall 50 of bellows 50 is centrally cut-out or apertured and is attached to the supporting board 51 which is provided with a similar aperture alining with the cut-out portion of the wall 50*. The valve box 55 is carried on the fixed wall H to which is also attached the exhausting bellows G and extending between two of the side walls of this valve box 55 is a partition 55 apertured at 55*, said aperture being capable of closure by the valve 56, this construction not forming a part of the present application and during the playing of the piano this aperture 55 remains open. Communicating with the interior of the valve box 55 is the aperture 55 through one of the side walls, to which is intended to be attached the tube or duct communicating with the note actions and pneumatics, not shown. lxtending upwardly through one side wall 55 of valve box 55 are the ducts 57 leading front the exhausting bellows (l, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The ducts 57 are continued upwardly through a fixed wall of bellows 50 where they communicate with a single cross duct 50 from which lead to the interior of bellows 50 a plurality of small apertures, 50, see Figs. 7 and 8. For the purpose of controlling the flow of air through these apertures 5%) is a slide valve 60 fitting a ainst the interior of the fixed wall 50 of the bellows 50 adjacent the ports 50". A spring arm 60 maintains the valve 60 in position and it attached to the movable wall 5O" of bellows 50, whereby, as will be apparent, movement of said movable wall will result in corresponding movement of the valve (30. A partition plate 50 is located between the cover board 51 and the valve box 55 and is provided with suitable a'per tures 50, affording communication between such valve box and the expression bellows 50.

It will be apparent that in the operation of the mechanism. as air is exhausted by means of bellows G it will be drawn thereinto from the pneumatic note actions through apertures 55, aperture 55. valve box 55, and apertures 50 (see Fig. 3) through expression bellows 50 at ports 50 and ducts 57, (see Fig. 8). The suction of the bellows G will normally maintain the bellows 50 partially collapsed, thereby, through the medium of valve 60, partially restricting the flow of such air through the aper ture 50 It is well known in this art that the intensity of the tone may be varied by the suction applied to the note actuating pneumatics. In other words when the full force of the suction of the exhausting bellows is transmitted to the note pneumatics, in other words. when the air duct ports leading from the note pneumatics to the exhausting bellows are in their most open condition. the tone produced will be comparatively loud. whereas when the flow is restricted and the full suction of the bellows does not obtain at the note pneumatics the tone is comparatively soft and it is with this fact in mind that I have constructed and arranged my mechanism.

With the slide valve 39 in the position shown in Fig. 6 the tone is piano or pianissimo, v'. 0., soft, the passage of a perforation in the note sheet 22 over the aperture A in the tracker board, as explained above, will move the slide valve 39 one step to the left. as viewed in Fig. 6, thereby causing actuation of bellows the removable wall of which will rise, whereupon the finger 42. see Fig. 2, will strike the spring arm 42 and the movable wall 5O of bellows 50 will be partially raised, thereby silghtly increasing the opening of apertures 50". see Fig. 8. This results in a slightly greater flow of air and increased suction at the note pneumatics, thereby producing a louder tone. Similarly, the tone may be further increased in loudness to forte or fortissimo, according to the construction and arrangement of the mechanism and various effects between these limits may be obtained by the proper arrangement of the perforations on the music sheet.

To obtain a better re ulation of the tone control I have shown the spring arms 40, 4:1 and 42 as of varying strengths; whereby the spring action thereof is different and the amount of opening of the bellows 50 against the action of the partial vacuum present therein will vary, as will be apparent. I do not wish to be restricted to this variation of the spring of the arms as it may be desirable, in some constructions, to make them of equal strength.

In the interpretation of some music it is desirable to have a sudden crash or forte produced. For this purpose I have provided ports 55*, in one side wall of the valve box 55, these ports leading directly to the interior of exhausting bellows G. A valve 70 normally maintains these ports closed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, this valve being carried upon a stem 70 extending outwardly through the side of the valve box 55. Spaced apart buttons or stops 70 are carried on the stem 70'- and mounted between these stops is the downturned end 71 of rod 71, the other extremity 7 1" of which terminates adjacent an arm 72 carried by the movable wall 72* of bellows 72, see Fig. 1. This bellows is in communication with the aperture A of the tracker board A through a duct or tube '78. It will be apparent that as a perforation in the music sheet 22 passes over the aperture A in the tracker board the bellows 72 will be momentarily collapsed opening the valve 70 through the medium of rod 71 and stem 70, thereby permitting direct flow of air from the note pneumatics through apertures 55, 55 and 55 to the exhausting bellows G, this flow being independent of any control by the valve 60. In this way it will be seen a sudden ioud tone, which I term a crash, may be obtained independently of the other controlling means which would require the passage of three successive perforations in the music sheet before the slide valve 39 could be moved from soft or pianissimo position to fortissimo, or loud position. In this way I am able to instantaneously accent any chord or portion of the music automatically.

In many instances the operator of a player piano will desire to interpret the music being played according to his own ideas and in such instances I have found it advisable to provide controlling means which will permit manual expression control independent of the automatic expression controlling means described above. Mounted in a convenient location, for instance, in front of the keyboard, as shown in Fig. 4:, for example, is a pivoted arm 90, pivoted intermediate its extremities at 90. ()n the upper extremity of this arm 90 is pivoted a-latch rack 91, pivoted to such arm at 90 and extending through a plate 92, which is suitably slotted to permit slight raising and lowering of the rack 91. A cross engageable strip 92 extends across above the rack 91, the latter being curved on a radius to accord with the radius of rotation of the arm 90. Notches 91 are provided in the upper portion of the rack 91, four of the same being provided, in the construction shown. ,The rack 91 is further provided with the engageable knob 91 at its outer extremity for engagement by the hand of the operator. A spring 93 coacts with the arm 90 and rack 91 to normally maintain the latter pressed upwardly against the strip 92 the latter being engaged by one of the notches 91 dependent upon the position. of the latter. Pivotally attached to the lower extremity of the arm 90 is the connecting rod 94 in turn pivotally attached at its other extremity to the crank arm 95 carried by the rod 95, which is journaled in suitable bearing brackets 95. An angularly disposed arm 96 is attached to and projects outwardly from the rod 95, such arm being bifurcated, as is the arm 95. From the crank arm 96 extends downwardly a connecting rod 9? which is pivotally attached to one arm of a bell crank 98 pivoted intermediate its extremities at 98 and having a second angularly disposed arm 98 arranged to coact with a pin 39. When the knob 91 of rack 91 is pulled to its outermost position and the corresponding notch 91 engages the strip 92, the arm 98 of bell crank 98 will move the slide valve 39 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and will maintain it therein and, as described above, in this position music will be rendered with soft tone. Similarly, when the rack 91 is only pulled out one or more notches the bell crank 98 will operate as a limit permitting the automatic control to soften the expression below that point, but limiting the loudening of the expression, as will be readily understood. In other words the movement of valve 39 is limited from the position resulting in the softest expression to that permitted by the arm 98 of the bell crank 98. The rod 97 is embraced by the bifurcated portions of the arm 96, a pin 96* extending thcrebetwcen, as shown in Fig. 4, and the end 96 of rod 97 is journaled or looped over such pin to parallel the remainder of the rod, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This provides the equivalent of a slot connection and in general practice prior to utilizing the manual expression controlling means I find it advisable to first pull the rack 91 to its outermost position which will result in the positive movement of the slide valve 39 to the position shown in the drawin closing the ports 27, 28 29 and there y cutting off the automatic expression control. I ma then operate the manual controlling rac 91, as esired, through mechanism described below to obtain manual control, the connection between the crank arm 96 and the rod 97 permitting this action. This, as will be obvious, is sh htly different from the functioning descri ed'above, where the rack 91- is set at a desired point-to limit the loudness of tone which may be obtained by the automatic control. It will be obvious, therefore, that in the manual operation of the rack 91 to vary the tone and'expre'ssion, should the crank 96 be moved downwardl it will not efi'ect movement of the rod 97 y virtue of its operative connection therewith and should, while the crank arm is in its lower position, the automatic exnession perforations in the music sheet e ect movement of the slide valve 39, such movement can onl take place until the upper end of rod 9 strikes the pin 96 of the crank 96 which will only result in the automatic expression giving the same expression as that for which the manual control is positioned and return movement of the crank 96 upwardly. will return the slide valve to the position shown in the drawings, independently of any perforations in the music sheet, It will therefore be apparent that manual operation will not be interfered with by automatic expression perforations in the music sheet.

The mechanism described just above provides for the elimination of interference between manual and automatic expression control. I obtain the expression control by means of the following structure. A rod 99 is pivotallyattached at one extremity between the arms of the crank arm 95 and at its other extremity, at which it is threaded at 99", it engages a spri arm 100, such engagement bein obtaine by means of the nut 99" threaded on said rod 99, and engaging the end of the spring arm. This 8 ring arm is in turn riveted at 100" to a r arm 101, which has an extremity attache to the movable wall 50 of expremion controlling bellows 50. The spring arm 100 also serves to normally maintain the bellows 50 in open position and automatic collapsi of the same must be against the action of t e spring arm. The other extremit of the rod 101 projects upwardly some istance above its attachment at 100 to the spring arm 100 and is provided with a stop or cushion 101 serving to the spring movement of the arm 100. These parts are so constructed and arranged that movement of the manual operation rack 91 and consequent movement of the shaft 95 will result in movement of the movable wall 50 of bellows 50 a proportional distance with proportional closing by valve 60 of appertures 50 and in the same manner as in the functioning of the automatic control the tone or expression will be controlled. I have shown the rack 91 as provided with four notches for engagement in four different positions with the strip 92, this number of positions corresponding to the number of positions of the slide valve 39, and consequently the number of different degrees of tone control.

I have found it advisable to supplement the manual expression controlling means with a manna crash controlling means consisting of an operating lever 105 pivoted at 105 and bearing a roller 105 at its lower extremity, such roller bear' on the end 106 of a ivoted arm 106 whic is slotted or bifurcate to embrace rod 71 upon which are mounted two stops or cushions 71, one on either side of the lower extremit of arm 106, whereby-pivotal movement of t e latter will result in operation of the crash mechanism in the same manner as it is operated by the automatic mechanism described above.

- It will be apparent from the above description and an examination of the accompanyin drawings, that by the use of my invention i am enabled to obtain automatic expression control throu h the medium of suitable perforations in t e music sheet, or I may obtain manual expression regulation, if referred.

t will also be apparent that my invention is susceptible of many modifications and improvements, and I do not wish'to be restricted to the form shown or described, beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a device of, the class described, a suction member, a duct to convey air thereto, an expression controlling bellows, a slide valve operatively attached thereto and counting with said duct to regulate the flow of air therethrough to said suction member, means to normally resist movement of said bellows and valve, and additional resisting means operable upon passage of one or more apertures in a row in a sheet of music over a tracker board to further resist movement of said bellows and valve to closin position.

2. In a device of the class descri d, a suction member, a duct to convey air thereto, an expression controllin bellows, a slide valve 0 )eratwely attache thereto and coacting with said duct to regulate the flow of air therethrough to said suction member, means to normally resist closing movement of said bellows and valve, and other means comprising bellows movable to position to further resist movement of said first-named bellows and valve, said last-named bellows being separately or cumulatively actuatable by passage of one or more suitable apertures in a sin e row in a sheet of music over a tracker board.

3. In combination, an air-exhausting memher, a duct leading thereto, a slide valve member arranged to regulate the flow of air through said duct, a bellows having a movable wall positively connected to said valve member, and means to exert a pressure on said bellows wall normally tendin to move the same to a position correspondin to one expression against the suction of said air-exhausting member in accord with an expression perforation in a sheet of music and to maintain said bellows wall in such position after the passage of said sheet perforation.

4. In combination, an air-exhausting member, an expression-controlling member in communication therewith, means to convey air to said expression-controlling member, means to control the flow of air from said controlling member to said exhausting member, said means comprising a slide valve operatively attached to the movable wall of a bellows member, actuatin bellows, means to move said bellows into and out of operative engagement with said; movable wall, said lastnamed means comprising actuatin pneumatics for said bellows, an aperture tracker board, means to throw said pneumatics successively and cumulatively into and-out of operation, said means comprising a slide valve, and means to move said slide valve step by step forward and back between its limits of travel in accord with expression perforations in a sheet of music passing over said tracker board.

5. In combination, an air-exhausting member, an expression-controlling member in communication therewith, means to con- ,vey air .to said expression-controlling member, means to control the flow of air from said controlling member to said exhausting member, said means comprising a slide valve operatively attached to the movable wall of a bellows member, a plurality of enacting actuating bellows, means to move said bellows into or out of operative engagement with said movable wall, said lastnamed means comprising actuating pneumatics for said bellows, an apertured tracker board, means to throw said pneumatics successively and cumulatively into and out of o eration, said means comprising a sli e valve, means to move said slide valve step by step forward and back between its limits of travel in accord with expression perforations in a sheet of music passing over said tracker board, said last-named means comprising bellows members, actuating pneumatics therefor, and

a plurality of coactingducts extending between perforations in said tracker board and said last-named pneumatics whereby the passage of said expression perforations will move one of said bellows one step for each erforation passing over said tracker boar apertures.

6. In combination an air-exhausting member, a duct leading thereto, a valve member arranged to regulate the flow of air through said duct a bellows having a movable wall positively connected to said valve member, means to control automatically the movement of said movable wall in accord with expression-perforations in a sheet of music, said means comprising a plurality of bellows members operable cumulatively to resist movement of said movable wall, means to operate said last named bellows comprising ducts in communication therewith and with a region of reduced iressure, means to open or close successive y' and "cumulatively said lastnamed ducts, said lastmamed means comprising pn'e'umatic members, means operable to actuate said. 'pneuinatic' members, said last-named means comprising ports arranged to sup ly' actuating air I to said pneumatics, an a slide valve arranged to opep or close said ports successively and cumulatively. I

-7. In combination, an air-exhausting member, a ductyleading thereto, a valve member 'arrangedito regulate the flow of air though sald duct '21 bellows having a movable wall positively connectedto said valve member, means to control automatt cally the movement of said movable wall in accord with expression perforations in a sheet of music, said means comprising a plurality of bellows members operable to cumulatively resist movement of said movable wall, means to operate said last-named bellows com rising vducts in communication therewit and'witl a region of reduced pressure, means to open or close successively and cumulatively said last-named ducts, said last-named -mea1is com rising pneumatic members, means opera is to actuate sa id pneumatic members, said last-named means comprising ports arranged to supply actuating air to said neumatics, a slide valve arranged to open or'close successively and cumulativel said ports, and means to operate said va ve, said means comprising bellows members having arms constructed and arranged to engage operatively said slide valve.--

8. In combination, an air-exhausting member, a duct leading thereto, a valve member arranged to regulate the flow of air through said duct, a bellows having a movable wall positively connected to said valve member, means to control automatically the movement of said movable wall in accord with expression perforations in a sheet of music or the like, said means comprising a plurality of bellows members operable cumulatively to resist movement 0 said movable wall, means to operate said last-named bellows comprising ducts in communication with a region of reduced pressure and leading from said last-named bellows, means to open or close successively and cumulatively said last-named ducts, said last-named means comprising pneumatic members, means operable to actuate said pneumatic members, said last-named means comprising ports arranged to su ply actuating air to said pneu'matics, a s lde valve arranged to open or close said ports successively and cumulatively, means to 0 erat'e said valve, said means comprising ellows members havingarms constructed and arranged to engage operatively said slide valve, a tracker board provided with expression apertures arranged to register with expression perforations in a music sheet, ducts leading from said apertures, and controlling pneumatics operable by the ducts, and ducts normally closed by said pneumatics and leading from'a region of reduced pressure to the valve-actuating bellows.

9. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, "an expressioncontrolling member comprising a bellows having a movable wall, ducts connecting said air-exhausting means and said bellows,

a a valve located ad acent the communication of said duets with said bellows, and means connecting said movable wall to said valve whereb'ythe latter will move therewith, said means comprising a spring arm attached to said movable wall and engaging said valve.

10. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, a valve box located adjacent thereto, a duct leading through a wall thereof from said air-exhausting means, an expression-controlling means comprising a bellows located adj acont said valve box and having ducts leading from said first-named ducts to the interior of said bellows, and a slide valve at the communication of said duets with said bellows, said valve bein positively connected to the movable wall 0 said bellows to move therewith.

11. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, a valve box located adjacent thereto, a duct leading through a wall thereof from said air-exhausting means, an expression-controlling means comprising a bellows located adjacent said valve box and having ducts leading from said first-named ducts to the interior of said bellows, and-a slide valve at the communication of said duets with said bellows, said valve being positively connected to the movable wall of said bellows to move therewith, said valve box being provided with an inlet port to convey air to said exhausting means, the interior of said bellows being in communication with said valve box.

12. In mechanism of the class described, ducts, a valve to control the flow of air through said ducts, an expression bellows operatively connected to said valve, and means to operate said bellows and thereby the valve in accordance with the degree of tone desired, said means comprising a plurality of actuating bellows, said expression bellows being provided with a plurality of projecting arms engageable successively and cumulatively by said actuating bellows upon operation thereof and normally out of engagement therewith.

13. In mechanism of the class described, ducts, a valve to control the flow ofair through said ducts, an expression bellows operatively connected to said valve, and means to operate said bellows and thereby said valve in accordance with the degree of tone desired, said means comprising a plu rality of actuating bellows, said expression bellows being provided with'a plurality of projecting spring arms engageable successively and cumulatively by and upon operation of said actuating bellows.

14. In mechanism of the class described, ducts, a valve to control the flow of air through said ducts, an expression bellows operatively connected to said valve, and means to operate said bellows and thereby the valve in accordance with the degree of tone desired, said means comprising a plurality of actuating bellows, said expression bellows being provided with a plurality of projecting spring arms of different strength cngagoablc successively and cumulatively by and upon operation of. said actuating bellows.

,5. ln mechanism of the class described. an expression-contmlling member. means to operate the same in accordance with the degree of control desired. said means comprising a pluralitv of actuating bellows,

actuating pneumatics for and cone-ting with said bellows, means to throw said pneumatics into or out ofoperation, said last-named means comprising air-controlling ports communicating with said pneumatics, a valve operable to open or close said ports, and means to actuate said valve, said means comprising a bellows member.

16. Tu mechanism of the class described, an expression-controlling member. means to operate the same in accordance with the degree of control desired, said means comprising a plurality of actuating bellows, actuating pneumatics for and coacting with said bellows. means to throw said pneumatics into or out of operation, said last-named means comprising air-controlling ports communicating with said pneumatics, a valve operable to 0 ion or close said ports, means to actuate sai valve,'said means comprising a bellows member, and an arm coactin with said bellows and engageable with sai valve.

17. In mechanism of the class described, an expression-controlling member, means to operate the same in accordance with the deree of control desired, said means comprismg a plurality of actuating bellows, actuatin pneumatics for and coacting with said be lows, means to throw said neumatics into or out of operation, said est-named means comprising air controlling ports communicatin with said neumatics a slidable valve, sai valve being provided with 0ppositely dis osed notches, and actuating bellows locate at opposite ends of said slidable valve, said bellows being each provided with an arm engageable with one set of said notches to move said valve upon actuation of said bellows.

18. In mechanism of the class described, an expression-controlling member, means to operate the same in accordance with the deree of control desired, said means comprising a plurailty of actuating bellows, actuatin neumatics for and coacting with said be lows, means to throw said pneumatics into or out of operation, said last-named means comprising air-controlling ports communicatin with said neumatics, a slidable valve, said valve being provided with oppositely disposed notches, actuating bellows located at opposite ends of said slidable valve, said bellows being each provided with an arm engageable with one set of said notches to move said valve upon actuation of said bellows, and actuating pneumatics for said last-named bellows, said pneumatics being in communication with a tracker board for automatic actuation of said valve-actuating bellows.

19. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, an expression-controlling bellows havin a movable wall, a valve operatively attac ed to said movable wall and controlling flow of: air through said ducts, means to permit manual movement of said movable wall, said means com prisin a manually enga cable handle, a rotata le shaft, said hanc lle being operatively attached thereto, a crank arm carried by said shaft, a rod attached thereto, an arm attached to said movable wall of said bellows and operatively attached to said rod through the medium of a spring arm, and means to maintain said manually engageable portion in any desired position.

20. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, a valve box communicatin therewith through a duct, a second duct eading to said valve box, expresclan-controlling means having a port in communication with said first-named duct, a valve operable by said ex ression-controllin means to control the ow of air from saic second-named duct to and through said first-named duct, a third duct leading from said valve box to said air-exhausting means, a valve for said third-named duct, and means to open said last-namcd valve.

21. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means a valve box com municating therewith through a duct, a second duct leading to said valve box, expression-controlling means having a ort in communication witi said first-name duct, a valve operable by said ex ression-controlling means to control the ow of air from said secondmamed duct to and through said first-named duct, a third duct leading from said valve box to said air-exhausting means, a valve for said third-named duct, and manually operable means directly attached to said last named valve to open the same.

22. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means,-a valve box communicating therewith through a duct, a sec ond duct leading to said valve box, expression-controlling means having a port in communication with said first-named duct, a valve operable by said expression-controllin means to control the flow of air from $211 second-named duct to and through said first -named duct, a third duct leading from said valve box to said air-exhausting means, a valvefor said third-named duct having a stem, and means to open said lastnamed valve, said last-named means comprising bellows in operative engagement with said stem.

23. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, a valve box communicating therewith through a duct, 21. second duct leading to said valve box, expression-controlling means having a port in communication with said first-named duct, a valve operable by said expression-controL lin means to control the flow of air from said second-named duet to and through said first-named duct, a third duet leading from said valve box to said air-exhausting means, a valve for said third-named duct, means to open manually said last-named valve, said last-named-means comprising a reciprocable shaft in operative engagement with said last-named valve, and a manually operable pivoted lever operatively engaging said shaft.

24-. In mechanism of the class described, an air-exhausting means, an expression-controlling means, means to convve air to said expression-controlling means, ucts leading from said expression-controlling means to said exhausting means, a valve member normally closing said ducts, and means to open said valve, a tracker board, said means co acting with said tracker board to operate means to open said valve upon passage of upon the passage of a perforation in a sheet a perforation in a sheet of music over said of music over said tracker board. tracker board, said last-named means com- 25. In mechanism of the class described, prising a pneumatic in communication with 5 a tracker board, an air-exhausting means, said tracker board, a bellows member and 15 an expression-controlling means, means to means operatively connecting said bellows convey air to said expression-controlling with said valve. means, ducts leading from said expression- In testimony whereof, I have subscribed controlling means to said exhausting means, my name.

10 a valve member normally closing said ducts, CHARLES FREBORG. 

